What offense involves deception to gain financial benefits from another person?

The offense that involves deception to gain financial benefits from another person is indeed fraud, which encompasses a variety of deceitful practices aimed at financial gain. This can include actions such as forgery, which involves altering documents to mislead someone for profit, or embezzlement, which is taking funds that one has been entrusted to manage. In the context of elder financial abuse, certain types of fraud are specifically targeted at vulnerable populations, like the elderly, who may be less likely to recognize or report such deceptive acts.

Fraud fundamentally relies on the intent to deceive another party for personal gain, distinguishing it from other offenses that may involve physical harm or environmental issues. In contrast, offenses like battery and illegal shooting typically involve physical violence rather than deception for financial gain, and illegal dumping pertains to environmental law violations related to improperly disposing of waste. Hence, the correct answer is clearly highlighted by its direct association with deception and financial benefits.